Tamping machine



Allg- 1960 A. R. ASKUE 2,949,829

TAMPING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Hanan-r7?. l-Zsxus 3812 as Q fi ial A T To RIvEy Aug. 23, 1960 A. R. ASKUE2,949,829.

TAMPING MACHINE Filed March 3. 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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TAMPING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Uh BYEwen-r R. 'flskuz If Ju es, /2 ffl l RTTORNEYS Unitcd rates Patent GTAMPING MACHINE Albert R. Askue, Euclid, Ohio, assignor to The ClevelandTrencher Com any, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. '3,1958, Ser. No. 718,589

2 Claims. (CI. 94 49) This invention relates in general to tampingmachines and more particularly to an improved tamping mechanism foreffectively compacting earth work fills. The improved tamping mechanismwith which the present invention is concerned is arranged so as to beeasily controlled to efllciently and effectively compact the filledearth following the back-filling of a trench, in the bottom of which apipe line or conduit has been placed. However, it will be understoodthat the mechanism may be used for various other purposes, such as forbreaking up hard surfaces and smashing frangible elements.

Tamping mechanisms for compacting earth-work and for breaking upfrangible elements are known to the art. However, most of these priorart devices have not been found to be completely satisfactory, due inpart to the substantial inflexibility of such mechanisms, and thedifliculty in effectively controlling the necessary positional movementof the tamping apparatus thereof.

The present invention provides a tamping mechanism which is swingablymounted on a propelled machine chassis, and which may be readily andselectively moved and positioned with respect to the chassis, by meansof a power operated motor unit, to increase the flexibility andefficiency of the tamping mechanism and associated machine carrier.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide all improvedtamping machine arrangement possessing more flexible operatingcharacteristics and greater useability, as compared to those heretoforeknown.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tamping mechanismmoveably mounted on a base frame in combination with power means forselectively moving and positioning the tamper mechanism with respect tothe base frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tamper apparatusswingably mounted on a vehicle chassis for movement in a generallyhorizontal plane, together with a fluid actuated motor unit forselectively moving and positioning the tamper apparatus with respect tothe vehicle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a motor propelledvehicle having a vertically reciprocable tamper mechanism and includingan articulated tamper supporting and positioning frame structureswingably mounted on the vehicle for pivotal movement in a generallyhorizontal plane, and wherein a fluid actuated piston and cylinder unitis connected to the tamper frame and to the vehicle proper, such pistonand cylinder unit being selectively controlled by the operator of thevehicle in combination with the operating controls for the tampermechanism proper, to selectively and facilely position the tampermechanism with respect to the vehicle and thereby provide a tampingmachine having substantial flexibility and increased etficiency.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in con junction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

2,949,829 Patented Aug. 23, 1960 Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of atamping machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear end, elevational view of the tamping machine of Fig. 1taken from the left of the latter figure.

Fig. 3 is a generally diagrammatic, plan view illustrating the range ofmovement of the tamping mechanism and associated supporting structureand actuating power unit, with respect to the machine chassis, and inaccordance with the instant invention.

In the drawings, the invention is illustrated as being applied to acrawler propelled machine or vehicle. Such a machine broadly comprises abase frame structure 2 supported on suitable tractor treads 4, a motor 6mounted on the forward end of the machine for driving the tractortreads, and thus propelling the vehicle, upright frame or mast structure8 mounted adjacent the rearward end of the base frame 2, and articulatedtamper support and positioning structure 9 comprising an inner frame 10pivotallymounted on the vehicle chassis and an outer frame 12 swingablymounted or connected to the outer end of inner frame 10. Mounted on theframe 12 is a tamper mechanism 14 which includes a tamper foot 16adapted for reciprocation in a vertical direction, and a fluid actuatedmotor unit 18 is pivotally connected to the frame 10 and to the vehiclechassis, and extends therebetween for swinging or moving the tampermechanism and associated supporting structure 9 about the rearward endof the chassis, to thus quickly and effectively position the tampermechanism with respect to the vehicle proper.

In United States Patent No. 1,947,356, issued February 13, 1934 toAugustus I. Penote, there is disclosed a tamper and back-filling machineof the general type with which the present invention is concerned, andaccordingly it is not believed. necessary to further describe in greaterdetail the overall arrangement of the machine. It will be understoodthat while no back-filling mechanism (i.e. the boom and scraper orshovel elementsas shown in the latter mentioned patent) is illustratedin the present drawings, in actual commercial practice, the machine ofthe invention may be easily provided with such back-filling apparatus.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the inner frame 10 of tamper supportstructure 9 is pivotally mounted on mast structure 8 by means ofvertically spaced bearing bracket structure 20 in combination withvertically disposed pin element 22 (Fig. 3). Frame 10 in the embodimentshown is of generally rectangular configuration in side elevation (Fig.l) and comprises upper and lower longitudinally extending members 24connected at the ends thereof by vertically disposed members 26 and 28.Diagonal cross member 30 aids in rigidifying inner frame 10.

Outer support frame 12 of articulated structure 9 is swingably orrotatably mounted on the outer end of inner frame 10 by means of bracketstructure 32 and vertically disposed pin elements 34 (Fig. 3). Frame 12,in the embodiment illustrated, comprises parallel bar members 36connected at the ends thereof by cross members 38 (Fig. 3), to form agenerally rectangular upper portion, and downwardly extending barelements 37, 37a, 37 b and 37c which generally converge adjacent thelower of bracket structure 32, to complete the construction of frame 12,the latter being of generally triangular configuration when viewed inside elevation (Fig. 2) and functioning substantially as a boom. Frame12 directly supports the aforementioned, diagrammatically illustrated,tamper mechanism 14 which includes tamper element 16.

Actuation of tamper mechanism 14 and resultant reciprocation of thetamper foot 16 is accomplished by motor 40 (which is preferably of theinternal combustion type), mounted on frame 12, in combination withdriving mechanism generally referred to by reference number 41.Reference is made to United States Patent No. 2,338,056, issued December28, 1943 to Vincent 5. Penote, as disclosing a driving arrangement for amultiple tamping mechanism which is connected to an associated internalcombustion engine mounted on the tamper support frame for causingreciprocation of the tamper element. The latter patent in combustionwith the aforementioned United States Pateut No. 1,947,356, disclosesarrangements which could be utilized in the structure of the presentinvention to obtain the desired reciprocation of the tamper element, andaccordingly a more detailed description of the structure for such anarrangement is not necessary here.

Extending between the tamper support frame member 12 and the vehiclechassis and being pivotally connected thereto by any suitable means,such as pins 46, is a tie rod member 45. Tie rod 45 is disposedoutwardly of the inner frame 10, and it will be seen that the latterframe element and the tie rod in combination with the outer frameelement 12 and the vehicle chassis, form a four-bar, pin jointed,linkage arrangement of generally pantographic configuration fortransmitting motion to the tamper mechanism 14. The aforementioned motoror piston and cylinder unit 18 is rotatably or pivotally mounted on thevehicle frame for movement in a generally horizontal plane, as by meansof bracket member 47 and vertical pin 47a, with the piston rod 48 of themotor unit 18 being movably pinned, as at 50, to the frame section 10.Frame therefore, serves as the driver element in the four-bar linkagearrangement, with the tie rod 45 serving as the follower element, theportion of the tamper support frame 12 disposed intermediate the tie rodand the frame 10 serving as a connecting element, and the vehiclechassis serving as the stationary link of the mechanism.

The motor unit 18 is preferably fluid actuated and as illustrated is inthe form of a double acting, piston and cylinder unit. Unit 18 isfurnished power from a pump (not shown) and which may be of conventionaltype, mounted on the machine chassis and suitably connected by means ofa power take ofi, to the aforementioned power unit 6 mounted on theforward end of the vehicle. Unit 18 is suitably connected by feed lines52 and 52a (Fig. 2) to the pump, and conventional valve mechanism (notshown) is provided for controlling the flow of fluid to unit 18. Thestroke or maximum reciprocable movement of the piston rod 48 of unit 18controls the limits of maximum travel or pivotal movement of the tampersupport and positioning frame structure 9, and therefore no auxiliarystops or limit abutments are necessary to so limit the travel of tampermechanism 14 with respect to the machine chassis.

The operator of the tamping machine generally sits in the locationdesignated by reference No. 56 (Fig. l), and the controls for operatingthe motor unit 6 and associated tractor treads 4, the controls foroperating reciprocable tamper mechanism 14, and the controls foroperating the tamper positioning piston and cylinder unit 18, arepreferably all arranged in this location, so that the machine operatorcan easily and selectively control all of the operations of the tampermechanism and supporting vehicle from one location. With the motor unit18 being fluid actuated, the tamper mechanism 14 and associatedsupporting and positioning frame structure 9 can be quickly andcontinually moved in a path extending transversely of the direction oftravel of the earthwork fill being tamped, thus providing for efiicientand effective tamping of a wider earth-work fill than heretoforepossible with other types of tamping mechanisms. Moreover, thelongitudinal axis of the tamper foot 16, in the instant arrangement, issubstantially aligned with the path or direction of travel of theearth-work fill when disposed in substantially any position in its rangelaterally of the machine chassis, as can be best seen from Fig. 3

of the drawings. Thus a wider earthwork fill than the width of thetamper foot 16 itself may be effectively tamped during forward movementof the vehicle and lateral movement of the tamper mechanism 14 andassociated frame element 12 without any substantial retamping of theearth-work fill occurring, thus increasing the efficiency and speed ofthe tamping operation.

In Fig. 3 the tamper mechanism 14 and associated supporting andpositioning frame structure 9 are shown in various positions withrespect to the machine chassis. Reference letter A designates theposition-illustrated in dot-dash linesof such mechanism and associatedframe structure when the latter has been moved to the extreme right handposition (as viewed in Fig. 3), which is the location generally usedduring loading and moving operations of the machine proper. Thecorresponding position of the pivotally mounted motor unit 18 is alsoshown in dot-dash and designated by reference letter A. In suchposition, the piston rod 48 of unit 18 is retracted within itsassociated cylinder the maximum permissible amount. Upon supplying fluidfrom the aforementioned pump to the cylinder of unit 18 via feed line52, piston rod 48 is caused to move outwardly causing inner frame 10 andthe tie rod 45 to swing the outer frame element 12 and associated tampermechanism 14 outwardly toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 3), laterallyof the vehicle chassis to a wide range of positions with respectthereto. In dot-dash lines designated by reference letter B is shown themaximum outward, laterally disposed position of the tamper mechanism 14and associated supporting and positioning frame structure 9. In thelatter position, the piston rod 48 of motor unit 18the latters positionbeing referred to by letter B-is extended its maximum amount withrespect to its associated cylinder. It will be understood therefore thatthe instant arrangement of swingable tamper mechanism, together with thefluid actuated motor unit, makes it possible to quickly and accuratelyposition the tamper mechanism 14 at various distances from the vehiclechassis and associated supporting tractor treads, in both a lateral andlongitudinal direction, thereby providing for tamping of a earth-workfill in a Wide range of distances from the vehicle proper, with all suchcontrolling of the positional movements of the tamper mechanism beingeffected from the machine operators location 56 on the vehicle proper.The latter characteristics are a distinct advantage since the machinecan then be adapted to readily tamp earth-work fills under varyingground conditions, to thus insure that the weight of the machine properwill not crumble or cave-in the supporting ground in the vicinity of thepreviously excavated and back-filled ditch, thereby preventingbogging-down of the machine.

In the embodiment shown, the maximum lateral position of the tamper foot16 disposes the latter at a side or lateral distance of approximately 6feet from the associated left hand tractor tread as viewed in Fig. 3 ofthe vehicle.

It will be also be seen from Fig. 3 that the cylinder and associatedpiston rod 48 of motor unit 18 is so disposed with respect to thevehicle chassis and with respect to the inner positioning frame element10 that the cylinder cannot pivot sufiiciently to permit the latter tobecome jammed and inoperable in its function of moving the frame section10 about it pivotal connections 22 to the mast structure 8. This isprovided for by so positioning the mounting of the cylinder of unit 18with respect to the vehicle chassis that the pivotal connection 50 ofthe piston rod 48, to the frame section 10 is always disposed outwardly,or rearwardly (as viewed in Fig. 3), of a vertical plane passing throughthe connections 22 of frame 10 and the pivotal connection 47a of motorunit 18, to the vehicle proper, in all positions of the tamper mechanism14 and associated supporting and positioning frame structure 9.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings it will be seenthat the invention provides a tamping mechanism swingably mounted on abase frame and in the embodiment shown on a power driven vehicle, whichcan be quickly and effectively moved to a wide range of positions by anoperator controlled motor unit mounted on the vehicle, and wherein suchunit can be selectively and quickly actuated by the operator of themachine in combination with and coordination with the controls for theother operating elements of the machine, to provide a tamping mechanismand associated supporting vehicle having increased efliciency andflexibility.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation and there is no intention in the useof such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognizedthat various modifications are possible Within the scope of theinvention claimed.

I claim:

1. In a mobile tamping machine for compacting earthwork fills and thelike, comprising a base frame, driving mechanism supporting said framefor propelling said machine, tamping mechanism including a verticallyreciprocable tamper foot, an articulated frame structure mounted on oneend of said base frame for movement in a generally horizontal plane andsupporting said tamping mechanism to position the latter in spacedrelation to said base frame and driving mechanism, said articulatedframe structure comprising an inner frame pivotally mounted on said baseframe to one side thereof as defined by the longitudinal vertical centerplane of said base frame and projecting outwardly from said base frame,and an elongated outer frame pivotally connected adjacent one endthereof to said inner frame with the distal end thereof extending towardsaid one side of said base frame, said outer frame supporting saidtamping mechanism thereon, said tamper foot being positioned generallyadjacent said distal end of said outer frame, said outer frame extendingin a direction generally transverse to said base frame, elongatedconnecting means of substantially the same lengthwise dimension as saidinner frame pivotally attached at one end to said outer frame and at theother end to said one side of said base frame, said connecting meansbeing disposed in outward laterally spaced and generally parallelrelation to said inner frame and controlling the movement of said outerframe with respect to said inner frame, and fluid powered motor meansfor selectively moving said articulated frame structure to position saidtamping mechanism with respect to said base frame whereby said outerframe and associated tamping mechanism may be selectively positionedover a wide range moving generally transversely with respect to saidbase frame and may be positioned laterally to one side of said baseframe and driving mechanism for tamping operations and may be moved backin the opposite direction to a retracted position directly behind saidbase frame in close proximity to said one end thereof, to therebyincrease the tamping range and maneuverability characteristics of themachine while providing for reduced overall length and width of themachine.

2. In a mobile tamping machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidfluid powered motor means comprises a double acting piston and cylindermotor unit coacting between said inner frame and said base frame, thecylinder element of said motor unit being pivotally mounted on the otherside of said base frame as defined by the longitudinal vertical centerplane of said base frame, for movement in a generally horizontal plane,and the piston rod element of said motor unit being pivotally connectedto said inner frame, the pivotal connection of said piston rod elementto said inner frame being always disposed in outwardly spacedrelationship to a vertical plane passing through the pivotal connectionsof said inner frame and said cylinder element to said base frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

